MG to Launch First Electric Car with Solid-State Battery in 2025
MG, a subsidiary of Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), has announced plans to introduce solid-state batteries in its electric cars within the next year. Yu Jingmin, executive vice president of SAIC’s passenger vehicle operations, made the announcement at the Chengdu motor show in China. The new solid-state battery technology, developed by SAIC, will be shared with other SAIC brands and will be featured in an upcoming MG model. The identity of the first MG vehicle to receive the solid-state battery has not been disclosed, but it is expected to be unveiled in the second quarter of 2025 and go on sale later that year.
Advancing Ahead of Competitors
This move by MG accelerates its previous timeline for the introduction of solid-state batteries by more than a year. It also puts MG ahead of its competitors, including Volkswagen, in adopting solid-state battery technology for volume models. MG’s sister brand, IM Motor, has already showcased its new L6 saloon equipped with first-generation solid-state batteries jointly developed by SAIC and Jiangsu Qingtao, a Chinese battery specialist. The Lightyear battery used in the L6 saloon offers double the energy density of existing lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and provides an official range of 673 miles on China’s Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC).
Details of MG’s Solid-State Battery
Although specific details about MG’s solid-state battery have not been revealed, it is expected to have a 5% liquid mass proportion, similar to the battery used by IM Motor. It will also operate on an 800V electric architecture. SAIC’s decision to equip MG models with solid-state batteries indicates a significant production increase of this new technology across its various brands. SAIC anticipates cost savings of up to 30% over lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in the long run.
Expansion Plans and New Electric SUV
In addition to the solid-state battery announcement, Yu confirmed that the new MG S5 electric SUV, which was revealed in registry filings with China’s Ministry for Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in July, will be launched in China in November 2024 and exported in 2025. The 4476mm-long model will be available with single- and dual-motor drivetrains and will feature a lithium-iron-phosphate battery.
Overall, MG’s commitment to solid-state battery technology demonstrates SAIC’s dedication to advancing electric vehicle technology and achieving economies of scale across its brands. The introduction of solid-state batteries in MG models marks a significant milestone in the evolution of electric vehicles.